Paper clip



M. ROSS Q 1,783,484

PAPER CLIP Filed April 17. 1930 Invcnlor A llomey Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES. PATENT orr ca mTIN B088, 01' EVANSVILLE, DTDIANA, ASSIGNOB OI ONE-HALF TO RUBY BOSS OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA PAPER CLIP Application fled April 17, 1930. Serial No. 445,021.

' per clip which is quite similar in desi n and configuration to a well known type paper clip now generally utilized by the trade, the

improvement. residing in the addition of a supplemental paper grip or clamping means whereby to decidedly increase the degree of utility of the complete article.

The paper clip herein illustrated, de-

' scribed, and, claimed, is analogous in some respects to the forms of clip sometimes referred to under the trade-marks of Collette, Gem, etc. These types of clips are illustrated for example, in the patent to one: George W. Griffiths, identified as 1,654,07 6.

The form of clip disclosed in this prior pateat is formed from a single length of wire, the opposite ends of which terminate in a U-shaped portion, and the intermediate part being bent to form a third U-shaped portion which is nested within the area of the first named U shaped portions in such relationships as to provide a single clamping means at one end of the clip.

Thus, the clip may be'engaged with the papers only in one direction, making it necessary when picking up the clip to apply it, to select the proper placement thereof to insure effective maintenance of the papers.

The present invention is predicated upon a refinement of the type of clip just referred to by embodying in the length of wire an appendage which is formed into an extension and especially bent upon itself so as to provide duplicate gripping means at both ends of the clip, thus providing a dual or duplex arrangement which it is submitted, is an economical, feasible, and practical contribution to the paper clip art.

The primary novelty is predicated upon simplified methods of being able to produce this double grip clip by simply increasing the len th of wire and using the existing parts 0 the patented type of clip to develop an article of this classification whose degree of utility is decidedly increased by this mere change, and to be able to manufacture such a clip with the existing type of machinery now commonly employed for this purpose.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a clip constructed in accordance with the present invention.

. re 2 is an edge view of the same observmg t e structure in a direction from left to right in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken approximately upon the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In order to appreciate the slight step which permits me to convert the aforesaid type of clip into one of a duplex design, we will first consider the construction of the conventional t pe of paper clip, which is here generally d esignated by the numeral 4. As before implied, this is formed from a single length of wire and the wire is so bent as to provide opposed longitudinally alined and elonlgated U-shaped portions 5 and 6 respective y.

Under the patented arrangement, the arm 7 would terminate at the point A. The in ternal or centralized convolution 8 which forms the first U-shaped portion is nested within the portions 5 and 6 and disposed in an even plane therewith as under ordinary circumstances. With this arrangement, there is a single grip provided, and this grip is formed between the bight portions of the parts or features 5 and 6 respectively. Thus the portion 6 is primarily employed as a handle in applying or removing this patented type of clip.

Essentially stated, all that I have done to convert this single gripping clip into one of a duplex form is to increase the length of the wire, extending it beyond the point A and making it sufliciently lon to extend to the point B along the existing eg or arm 9 of the U-shaped part 5. This a pendage of wire is bent to form a fourth -shaped portion generally represented by the numeral 10, and this bight portion 11 is disposed in proper curvate relationship to the bight portion of the end 6, thus utilizing the features 11 and 6 in forming the additional grip whereby to have two grips, namely, the grip formed by the parts 5 and 8, and the second grip formed by the features 6 and 11. The free end portion or terminal 12 may be of any appropriate proportions but preferably terminates at the point B to balance and provide the desired resiliency and tension.

An important factor to be noted is that all of the convolutions forming these four distinct U-shaped portions lie in the same exact plane as represented clearly in Figure 3, and the free end terminals of these features are such as to provide the desired resiliency, retention, and clamping properties.

The gist of the invention, it will be understood, is from the formation of a paperclip from a single length of wire which 1s bent upon itself and between its ends to form substantially duplicate longitudinally spaced convolutions to provide paper grips or jaws at both ends of the longitudinally elongated loop-like form of paper clip.

To bring into play the handle grip portion 6 in the conventional type of clip by enabling it to have the additional function oil a jaw when co-operating with the feature 11 is a feature of prime importance. The ability of all of the convolutions or U-shaped portions to lie in the same plane, to retain proper shape, and to permit the portions 8 and 6 to be bent inwardly or outwardly for retaining tension and proper gripping relationship is a feasible and practical distinction.

The provision of a. double or duplex grip paperclip susceptible of being manufactured at approximately the same price as the conventional marketed type lends individuality and progressiveness to this particular dual paperclip.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

I claim:

1. As a new product of manufacture, a paperclip formed from a single length of wire bent upon i self to form a plurality of U-shaped portions defining distinguishable convolutions for acting in mechanical coacting relationship to provide a clip having substantially duplicate grips at its opposite ends, the convolutions of wire forming the complete clip all occupying the same normal plane. whereby to dispose the distinguishable portions of the wire in flat nested relationship.

2. In a duplex papeirlip of the class described, a single length of Wire bent upon itself to form four distinguishable U-shaped convolrtions, there being two U-shaped portions at one end, and two U-shaped portions at the opposite end, the bight portions of the respective U-shaped portions defining paper gripping means at each end of the clip, and all of the bent portions of said wire being disposed in the same flush plane with respect to each other.

3. An improved paperclip of the class described comprising a single length of wire having its opposite end portions bent into U-shaped configuration to provide two distinct U-shaped parts, and having its inner free end portion bent within the area of one of said U-shaped parts to form a third U-shaped part and to simultaneously define a single paper grip at one end of the structure, the other free end of the wire being formed with an appendage defining an extension which is bent into U-shaped form to co-operatewith the adjacent U-shaped part of the wire to define a second papcrgrip at the opposite end of the structure, and all of said U-shaped portions being nested one within the other in a. tortuous convolute manner and lying in the same flush plane with each other.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MARTIN ROSS. 

